The managing director of Aberdeen’s biggest bus company has resigned, after almost 40 years with the company.
George Mair has decided to leave FirstBus Aberdeen after working with the transport group for 38 years.
Mr Mair last night said he wanted to try something new.
He said: “I don’t really have anything planned, I’ll have a break and see what happens. I have had a fantastic time over the years with the company and I wish them all the best in the future.”
Mr Mair became First’s longest-serving managing director after joining the company in 1971 as a parcel boy.
At the time the business was still part of the Aberdeen Corporation Transport Department before it became Grampian Transport Department in 1975.
In 1989 the company was privatised and bought by its 500 workers under an employee share ownership plan.
FirstGroup has grown into the biggest bus and train operator in the UK, with a turnover of about £6billion.
Over the years Mr Mair took on a variety of supervisory and management roles as well as a stint driving the buses, before becoming managing director in April 1998.
Nicola Shaw, director of FirstBus UK, Ireland and Germany, said: “We wish George well as he steps down from the business and thank him for his long-lasting contribution to the group and its predecessors.
He says he leaves in the knowledge that the business is well prepared for the challenges ahead.”
Taking over from Mr Mair on June 8 will be Bob Dorr who was, until recently, managing director of First’s Essex business.
Mr Mair’s departure comes as First revealed plans to alter nine key city routes this summer including the Kingswells and Bridge of Don park-and-ride service.
The number 24 service, which provides four buses a day between Broad Street and Culter, will be scrapped completely in July.
The move emerged after city councillors were sent a letter advising them of the planned changes and led to claims it would “isolate” some communities.
By Lori Reid
Published: 26/05/2009
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1233471?UserKey=